Proposal to name part of 580 after Sakai

June 4, 2009 2:41:33 PM PDT

OAKLAND, CA --

A resolution was introduced in the California State Assembly Wednesday to designate a portion of Interstate Highway 580 in unincorporated Alameda County as the Sgt. Daniel Sakai Memorial Highway in honor of the Oakland police officer who was slain in March.

ACR 79, authored by Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi, D-Hayward, would honor Sakai, the Castro Valley resident who was one of four Oakland police officers shot and killed in the line of duty on March 21.

The portion of Highway 580 between East Castro Valley Boulevard and Strobridge Avenue would be designated in honor of Sakai, according to Chris Parman, the director of Hayashi's district office in Hayward.

"Sergeant Daniel Sakai served with valor, and his tragic death was a tremendous loss to the community," Hayashi said in a prepared statement.

"By naming this section of Highway 580 after Sergeant Sakai, we have the opportunity to pay tribute to his courage, and forever be inspired by the heartfelt dedication and strong values he demonstrated throughout his life," Hayashi said.

Sakai, Sgts. Mark Dunakin, Ervin Romans, and Officer John Hege were killed by 26-year-old Oakland resident Lovelle Mixon, an ex-felon who was wanted on a no-bail warrant for allegedly violating his parole by failing to meet with his parole officer, according to police.

The resolution will next be considered by the Assembly Transportation Committee, according to Parman.